Let's talk medical research

Participating in a clinical trial is a significant decision for patients, and several factors can influence their decision to enroll. These factors include understanding the trial's details, goals, and logistics. Sponsors must understand what matters most to patients when designing protocols, and prioritizing patient-centric considerations is key to enhancing patient engagement and trial success.

While randomizing patients into a clinical trial is a key part of advancing medical breakthroughs, reaching adequate patient enrollment numbers still poses a challenge for sponsors, sites, and research staff. It is not uncommon for trials to close due to a lack of enrollment, which results in significant costs, wasted resources, and stifled research advancement.

Breast cancer as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is “a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control.” It is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women, and approximately 264,000 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.

Celiac disease is a common autoimmune disorder that causes a reaction to gluten within the small intestine. It is often underdiagnosed, but it is estimated to impact around 2 million people in the United States.

In order to connect people with medical research opportunities, it is important to understand what motivates patients to participate in clinical trials. We asked 4,000 volunteers and caregivers to gain insight into their motivation for clinical trial participation. Here’s what we learned.

Every June is designated as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementias. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, and has impacted humans long before it was officially named in 1910.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition associated with the gradual denigration of cartilage in the joints — and while it can occur anywhere in the body, the knee is one of the most common areas impacted. Current research estimates that 46% of people will develop knee OA in their lifetime.

Creating clinical trial marketing materials is a delicate balance — it's important to craft outreach that connects with patients and care partners, but it’s also important to adhere to the guidelines set out by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to receive the approval of the Internal Review Board (IRB).

Despite being relatively small organs, the kidneys are extremely important to the functioning of the human body. Their main function is to filter the blood, eliminating wastes, toxins, and excess fluids. They also are responsible for producing hormones and regulating various salts and minerals that are necessary for bodily functions.

For those interested in learning more about how to take part in clinical research studies, finding the right trial may be simpler than it seems. From patient advocacy groups, real-life testimonials from patients who have participated in a trial, and online search tools that match patients to trials, finding a study to participate in is easier than ever through these resources. Read on to learn ...